Essay on A Worn Path

A worn path is a story about a woman named Phoenix Jackson who needs to go a journey to town to get medicine for her sick grandson. It is a trip she has made before many times before (hence the title A worn Path) but there is something special about this trip, something different. In this paper I plan to dwell into the symbolism behind the Legend of the Phoenix and its relationship to her journey in the story. The legend of the Phoenix is about a fabled sacred bird of ancient Egyptians, said to come out of Arabia every 500 years to Heliopolis, where it burned itself on altar and rose again from its ashes young and beautiful; symbol of immortality. I think this story also represents Christian beliefs because the setting is

In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” the character Phoenix Jackson is introduced. Phoenix Jackson is an uneducated, African-American woman without any family besides her sick grandson. Phoenix is the hero of this story and fits the role well by delivering much-needed medicine to her grandson. Phoenix shows many distinct traits that reveal her to be a hero to her grandson. The heroic feats she accomplishes pave a path that leads to her satisfaction as well as protection of her most beloved asset, her grandson. Throughout the story, Phoenix’s humble, caring, and determined character is displayed through her actions.

“A Worn Path” is a short story written by Eudora Welty. It is based on an elderly African-American grandmother named Phoenix Jackson, who goes for a walk to the town of Natchez on a cold December morning to get some medicine for her ailing grandson. This story speaks of the obstacles Phoenix endured along the way and how she overcame them. The theme, central idea or message that the author wishes to convey to his or her readers, in “A Worn Path” is one of determination. Phoenix Jackson is determined to get to Natchez, in order to get medicine for her grandson; she does not let any obstacles get in her way. The theme of determination is shown in many ways throughout this short story.

His grandmother is the only relative he has left, and she makes the trip to town to receive medicine that soothes the pain. There has been no change in his condition, Phoenix tells the nurse, he sits with his "mouth open like a little bird." She also says that though he suffers, he has "a sweet look." Though Phoenix says he is not dead, some critics have theorized that he is. The Hunter The hunter encounters Phoenix after she has fallen into a ditch, the unfortunate result of an encounter with one of his dogs. He helps her up, demonstrating his willingness to assist a person in need. But his subsequent conversation with her reveals his disrespect for her and biased attitudes towards African Americans in general. When he learns that she intends to walk to town, he assumes Phoenix is not able to make the long journey and he tells her to go home; he has no qualms about issuing the order. But when she persists, he relents, assuming that the only reason "old colored people" would embark on such a long trail would be to see Santa Claus. In a second instance of disrespect, he tells Phoenix that he would give her a dime if he had one, unaware that Phoenix has already picked up the nickel that fell out of his pocket. In a third example, he points a gun at her face and asks if it scares her. He is amused by the fact that it does not, further emphasizing his insensitivity. Throughout the conversation, he refers to her as "Granny," as the other

“A Worn Path” tells of an elderly and frail black woman and of the hardships that she must overcome. Upon reading the story, you realize that there is more to the story than meets the eye. She faces many roadblocks along her way. Phoenix faces many dangerous obstacles along her way, for a person of her age. She faces racism from some of characters she meets along the way. Phoenix faces inferior treatment, as though she is nothing more than some insect to squash. This story is about not only her ‘journey’ to Natchez, but also about her journey through society and the struggle to overcome the dangers, being treated inferior, and the racism.

Thesis: “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty is one of the best short stories to incorporate different

"A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, written in 1941, is a short story about an elder, Negro woman, Phoenix Jackson, traveling along a well-worn path to an unknown destination. As the title suggests, this is a path that she has taken many times. The main theme represented in "A Worn Path" is that a person would endure and overcome the forces of nature and society for those they love.

Although Phoenix Jackson is old, tired, dirty, and poor, nothing can stand in her way. In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix jumps off the page as a vibrant protagonist full of surprises as she embarks on a long, arduous journey to

Welty Eudora. " A WORN PATH.” From The Collected Works of Eudora Welty Literary Criticism Review: "A Worn Path" Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" is about the journey of Phoenix Jackson, an elderly black woman. You get a sense that this journey appears to not be for any apparent reason. Phoenix travels over hills and through the woods, facing hardships, encounters with disrespect, and moments of loneliness.

In “A Worn Path”, Phoenix Jackson runs into several problems but she works to overcome adversity. She encounter many obstacles where she could stop and give up. However she pushes through and strives to get to the town. In “A Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson proves to be a strong person through the journey she takes to preserve her family”.

“A Worn Path” is set in the familiar woods and an ordinary town. In the setting, the author, Welty, places a believable character, old lady Phoenix Jackson. She is an ordinary old lady with believable traits.

An immense positive attitude embodies her and lets her maintain hope throughout the journey. Multiple occasions arise where Phoenix could have stopped trying to help her son’s throat but her positive character doesn’t allow her to do so. When faced with seemingly arduous tasks, Phoenix’s positiveness takes a hold of herself and pushes her to succeed. Upon reaching “a place where a log was laid across a creek”, Phoenix immediately attempts to traverse the creek with great vigor; “...like a festival figure in some parade, she began to march across”. After she does this she says, “I wasn’t as old as I thought”.

I can’t believe I actually listened to my 28 year old wife Beth and bought this journal. But hopefully future generations will look apron this journal proudly and be grateful I wrote it. If I survive to finish it, I will know even though the travel to Oregon was no piece of cake I will be able to eat all the running cooked pig I want and be able to make some quick and fast cash from all the people coming in. They will have nowhere to go to buy supplies except me and a few other people.

In A Worn Path by Eudora Welty we have the theme of struggle, sacrifice, determination, perseverance, selflessness and love. Taken from her A Curtain of Green and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Welty may be using the setting of the story to explore the theme of struggle. Throughout Phoenix’s journey into town there is a sense that she is struggling, that in many ways she is being hindered in her attempt to get into town. Some examples of the struggle Phoenix encounters include the incident when she tears her skirt on the thorny bush, how she has to go through a barbed-wire fence and later when she falls into the ditch. Each of these incidents may be important as it is possible that Welty is not only highlighting to the reader the struggles that Phoenix encounters on her journey into town but it is also possible that Welty is highlighting the struggles that many (if not all) African Americans at the time the story was published (1941) encountered while trying to make some progress in their lives. At the time the story was published racial equality would not have existed in America (particularly in the South where the story is set) and African Americans would have been treated as second class citizens with many white Americans considering themselves to have been superior to African Americans.

The story, "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty is a standout amongst the most significant and oftentimes examined works of short fiction. This story is taken place in the South. This locale is frequently characterized by their discourse and habits. Eudora Welty's adroit utilization of tone and decent variety in the story adds action to make it appear to be all the more real. The imagery in "A Worn Path" demonstrates Phoenix Jackson experiencing a progression of obstacles that speak to her battles to achieve her goal.